In the game Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke are on a mission to take down the Shinbakfu and seek revenge against various adversaries, including corrupt daimyos. As players progress, they will encounter a mix of familiar and unfamiliar foes.
As you engage in these missions, you’ll notice that the dynamic doesn’t change much, particularly with The Ox, who, while not the most central antagonist, remains a formidable opponent. Here’s how to tackle this encounter effectively.
A Voice in Anger
Helping the Abbot
To initiate your fight against The Ox, complete the introductory quest, A Voice in Anger, located at Tanjosan Myoyoji Temple in Harima. Approach this mission as either Yasuke or Naoe. Inside the temple, you’ll find the abbot being held captive. Use the observation feature (LT on Xbox or L2 on PS5) to locate him, but be prepared to eliminate some enemies first.
After rescuing the abbot, you’ll need to sit through a lengthy cutscene that introduces The Ox, Bessho Harumasa. Following this, you’ll have to free Nakamura Tadashige from a nearby camp. Naoe is a suitable choice here due to the numerous guards and opportunities for stealth.
Take out the enemies quietly and free Nakamura, leading to another long cutscene where he’ll explain the situation and set up subsequent quests.
Astray
Locating The Ox’s Invasion Plan
Next, you’ll need to find The Ox’s invasion plans, which are hidden in Hiraiyama Fort in Harima. This task is best suited for Yasuke because of the significant combat involved, but Naoe can manage with some careful navigation.
Once at Hiraiyama Fort, look for several blue markers on the map, indicating potential locations of the plans. Be mindful of the enemies surrounding this area, as your level in the game will significantly impact how much resistance you face.
Tip: Watch for alarm bells in the area, as they will attract Guardians, complicating your mission.
After retrieving the invasion plans, head to Kyokaiji Temple where Nakamura Tadashige awaits. Make sure to fast travel, either through a synchronization point or a hideout, to save time. The fighting in this section could make it a lengthy quest despite the straightforward objectives.
Brothers in Arms
Finding the Mysterious Ronin
The next quest, Brothers in Arms, has you searching for a ronin located north of Miki Docks in Harima. Get to the marker on your map to find a ronin battling adversaries. Assist him, and once the enemies are vanquished, you’ll learn his name—Koshiro—and that he’s in pursuit of someone named Seiji.
To locate Seiji, proceed to Kanki Castle as marked on your map. This mission gets tricky due to the number of enemies present, but the castle has enough vertical space for stealth approaches, making Naoe a better option here.
Finding Commander Seiji will be your main goal, as he’s waiting for you at the courtyard of Jorakuji Temple. Koshiro can help you in the ensuing fight, although he’s just another regular enemy with a long health bar.
Tip: Be wary of Seiji’s heavy kick attack, but by now you should have powerful moves to handle him easily.
Of My Enemy
Tracking Hiromichi’s Associate
With the previous missions complete, you’re now ready to tackle the next phase involving the quest Of My Enemy, where you will locate Hiromichi’s man in Harima, near the Horikawa Dock. After speaking with him, he leads you to Hiromichi, who tasks you with eliminating The Ox’s lieutenant on a boat marked on your map.
Prepare for more combat as you make your way there. Look for the Takasago Commander, and once defeated, grab the shipping manifesto from his body and return it to Hiromichi. Here, you’ll again face a choice—give up the manifesto or keep it for yourself. I opted not to hand it over, and it netted me some appreciation but no major plot shifts.
Broken Horn
Preparing to Take Down The Ox
For the final leg of the mission, return to Nakamura Tadashige to set the stage for the impending confrontation with The Ox. Choose your character wisely—Yasuke is a superior choice given the fighting that lies ahead.
As Yasuke, you’ll face off against The Ox’s minions, which aren’t overly challenging if you’re at the right level. After clearing them out, you’ll come face-to-face with The Ox, who starts off with two henchmen. It’s advantageous to eliminate these allies first to avoid being outnumbered.
The Ox wields a massive Kanabo and like other heavy weapon users, he relies on predictable, heavy attacks that are best dodged rather than blocked.
Tip: By executing moves that knock enemies down, like the Naginata’s impale, you can open up the Ox for a powerful follow-up strike.
Once you defeat The Ox, the outcome remains the same no matter the dialogue choices—Yasuke ends up killing him. This victory earns you the Daybreak’s Fury Legendary Kanabo and ranks another Shinbakfu member among your conquered foes.
